Leonidas’s name meant “lion-like” and he was one of three sons of King Anaxandridas II. He became one of two Spartan Kings, occupying the throne at the same time in a tense but civil arrangement.
In 480 BC King Xerxes of Persia lead a massive army against the notoriously fractious city-states of Greece. In part it was to avenge his father, the great Darius, whose stinging defeat at Marathon, some ten years earlier, had saved the free world. In part Xerxes wanted to attain one of his father’s goals, an even larger Persian empire.
Ancient reports put Xerxes‘ forces at 1.5 to 2 million people, and with attendants, followers and courtesans, it was stated to have been five million. More modern estimates put it at approaching 500,000.
The council of Sparta, noting past grievances against other Greek cities, refused to release the full army of Sparta until after the completion of an upcoming religious celebration. Knowing that time was short, King Leonidas took his own personal guard of 300 men north to the narrow pass of Thermopylae, where numbers became less important than skill at close combat. The Spartans were joined by 700 Thespians and 900 Helots though these groups reportedly stayed to the rear and engaged only after the Spartans were in battle. The Spartans repelled wave after wave of Persian forces, including Xerxes’s personal guard, the Immortals, over several days of brutal combat.
We have over 40 high resolution images and a full review of King Leonidas from the 300. The figure was supplied by sponsor Entertainment Earth.
Releated Entertainment Earth links: King Leonidas, All Figma & Good Smile Products
Figma King Leonidas by Good Smile
Pros
Movie accurate
Cloth cape
Awesome gear
This is Sparta! screaming face
Superior articulation
Cons
Different cut and size cape then what is pictured on box
Overall
Your not going to find a better representation than Good Smile Figma King Leonidas. It’s on a level of it’s own and anybody who is a fan of the movie and is searching out figures to collect, this is a must have addition to your 300 collection. I really done have anything negative to report other than the cape being cut different and much bigger then what was shown on the box. For me, I think the cape they chose to produce for the final product was a better choice, and make for a sharper effects when posing the figure. A really amazing figure that makes the top 5 for the year.
CompaniesEntertainment EarthGood Smile Company
CharactersKing Leonidas